Tyco Fire Protection Products showcased its expertise in water mist suppression solutions at the International Water Mist Association (IWMA) Conference in Istanbul. Dr Tim Nichols, Sales Director Water Mist EMEA, gave a presentation entitled ‘Fire Protection of Compact Archive Storage utilizing Water Mist’, the place he mentioned how the extinguishant is well suited to the safety of irreplaceable works and artefacts in extremely priceless buildings.
Tim’s lecture focused on a fire test protocol that was formulated to confirm the performance and use of Tyco’s personal water mist solution, AquaMist, in an historical building, residence to valuable archive storage. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 750 normal requires that, when employing a water mist suppression system, fire testing is undertaken pertinent to the risk. However, of the revealed hearth check protocols listed in NFPA 750, none details the requirements for archives that contain roller (compact) racking. Many of the racks in the focused constructing are of the ‘roller’ sort, which restrict the amount of house for constructing companies, together with these for extinguishing system pipework.
Together with the venture stakeholders, Tyco devised the protocol to incorporate test rig and structure, check type, hearth load, knowledge acquisition (for instance, sensors and imaging), hardware required (such as pumps, nozzles, pipe, tank, generator), and well being and security procedures (for instance, the fireplace brigade). The associated performance based mostly hearth tests had been then designed to duplicate the range of utility parameters associated with archive storage.
While ignition sources at the unique web site had been recognized to be minimal, and the principle fireplace supply confirmed as arson, the multi-level building poses quite a few challenges that needed to be thought-about when formulating the fireplace take a look at protocol to ensure effective safety. Low ceilings and numerous obstructions, such as lighting, ducts and pillars, contribute in the course of the confined environment of the archive storage basement level. Items are saved in a mixture of open racks and compact racks, which offer lower than a 150mm hole between themselves and the ceiling, and there is restricted on-site water storage. Pre-test risk evaluation also highlighted restricted entry and exits below and above ground, so it’s important for cupboard space to be maximised and protected egress provided in case of the event of a fireplace. In addition, the extremely valuable nature of the storage contents meant that the chosen fireplace suppression solution had to ensure minimal harm to these historical objects.
To achieve validation, the exams needed to meet varied goals. These comprised speedy management of the hearth inside a prescribed area (in this case, outlined as within a block of racks); control of temperature; attenuation of radiation; and minimisation of collateral harm by way of water clean-up. They additionally had to bear in mind numerous parameters, together with the specified excessive pressure mist system; a 30 minute run time; and an annual measurable achievement goal (AMAO) outlined in accordance with a method based mostly on the quantity of nozzles activating throughout testing.
เกจวัดแรงดัน , carried out for each open and roller racks with minimal storage gaps, were undertaken in a customised check rig, designed, built and fitted to replicate the precise specification, racking arrangements and storage supplies of the site. Considered a excessive load, the gasoline materials had been identical to that present in archive storage, including paper, books, micro-film and CD cases.
Success was defined by move or fail standards and determined by detailed quantitative measurements on system configuration, hydraulic analysis, discharge pressure, discharge sequence, fire spread, temperature, fireplace damage and water consumption. In both exams, Tyco’s AquaMist system operated successfully and was noticed to suppress and control the fireplace efficiently. The venture staff was impressed by the lack of fireplace and smoke harm to the supplies and construction and the product has since been put in within the constructing in query.
“The IWMA conference is a fantastic alternative to highlight the benefits of water mist as a fire suppression resolution, as properly as demonstrate its versatility in a extensive range of functions,” feedback Dr Tim Nichols. “Identifying a gap out there and taking the opportunity to formulate a fireplace take a look at protocol for archive storage enabled us to validate the expert capabilities of our AquaMist system and facilitate protection of a customer’s highly useful belongings.”
For more information, go to www.tfppemea.com
Share